My friend has asked me to look after her 1 and 4 year old when she goes back to work next September. The 4 year old will be at school for some full days during the week. I have a DS who will be nearly 2 at that time, so the younger child will be good company for him. It all seems to be a perfect solution as we could do with the extra money too. I am just wondering if anyone has any experience of doing this and how it works out? Friends are telling me to do it for cash and not bother going through the relevent channels but I am wary of doing this and would rather be above board. There are not so many strict guidelines here as there are in the UK (I'm from the UK and taught there for some years) and it seems pretty straight forward to start doing daycare form home. I would only be doing this for these two children, as I know and love them like family. I would not be offering to do anyone else a favour!
So, why am I having some reservations about this? Is it just a fear of the unknown? Does anyone else have experiences to share? I think part of my anxieties are that I would be tied to a much stricter routine and would not have use of a car. Would I have to provide activities for them to do or just let them play? I have no 'girly' toys. Would I have to buy some?! The 'teachery' part of me would want to be super organised and run my house like a mini nursery, but the mummy part just wants to let the chaos reign! Sorry for the jumble, but it feels much better putting everything down here! Any thoughts please?